I am writing to express my support, as well as that of the Board of the San Francisco Zoological Society, for the “Wildlife Trafficking Enforcement Act.”

Established in 1929, the San Francisco Zoo and Gardens connects people to wildlife, inspires caring for nature and advances conservation action. An urban oasis, the Zoo and Gardens are home to more than 2,000 exotic, endangered and rescued animals representing more than 250 species as well as seven distinct gardens full of native and unusual plants. The San Francisco Zoo and Gardens has over 25,000 members and has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for over 35 years.

The “Wildlife Trafficking Enforcement Act” would provide law enforcement with additional tools to investigate and prosecute wildlife traffickers by making egregious criminal violations of certain wildlife trafficking statutes predicate offenses under racketeering and money laundering statutes and directing monies collected as a result of these violations to Federal conservation funds. AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums have made combating the poaching of elephants, rhinos, and other species a top priority. Wildlife trafficking generates billions of dollars each year, trailing only drug trafficking, human trafficking, and counterfeiting. It is directly funding some of the activities of criminal syndicates and terrorist organizations such as Al-Shabaab. As a result, the poaching of elephants and rhinos and the illegal trade of their ivory and horns are not only critical conservation issues but a matter of national security.

I commend you for sponsoring the “Wildlife Trafficking Enforcement Act,” and I look forward to working with you to pass this legislation.